What are EPCs?
More information on Energy Performance Certificates.
We welcome enquiries from Dorking, Leatherhead, Horsham, Crawley, Redhill, Reigate, Caterham, Oxted, Ashtead and Horley.
The Certificate
The information gathered is entered into government authorised software which will then produce the certificate. The certificate is then automatically lodged onto the government website, www.epcregister.com. A copy of the certificate is then sent to the client. A copy can also be forwarded to the client’s sales or letting agent.
What are
Energy Performance Certificates?
The EPC or Energy Performance Certificate shows how energy efficient your property is and how it impacts upon the environment (CO2 emissions.)
EPCs were introduced in England and Wales in 2007. The EPC is a legal requirement in order for a property to be sold or let. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
Properties are given a grade which ranges from A100 for the most energy efficient, down to G1 for the least efficient. The majority of properties fall into categories C, D and E. In April 2018, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards created a legal requirement that any privately owned properties must have at least an E rating to be let out.
The EPC should be in place before marketing of the property commences.
Your certificate will include an estimate of your current energy costs and priced recommendations to improve the efficiency of the building.
Valid EPCs can only be issued by fully qualified Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs)
Preparing for the Assessment Visit
The DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) will be very happy to see any documentation regarding the original building date of the property plus any planning or building control documents relating to subsequent extensions or loft conversions.
Other useful documents are cavity wall, floor or loft insulation certificates. FENSA glazing certificates or documents relating to underfloor heating also help to maximise your property’s rating.
During
the Assessment Visit
The DEA will need to conduct an external and internal assessment of the property and have access to all rooms, and if possible, the loft. Typical assessments last around 60 minutes. Larger, extended or properties with loft conversions can take up to 90 minutes depending upon the size and complexity of the property. The assessor will also inspect and record details of the following :
- Floor area of the building
- Original build date of the property, any subsequent extensions and loft conversions
- Construction of the walls, roofs and floors
- Heating and Hot Water System
- Lighting
- Loft and wall insulation
- The presence of any solar panels or wind turbines
All information collected is subject to the Data Protection Act and photographs are for internal reference and accreditation body audit only. The survey is purely a visual inspection, as a result of this, any thermal elements such as wall, floor or boarded over loft insulation can only be recorded if there is documentation to support it.